Man kills one, wounds another before shooting himself during Mpumalanga hostage incident

One person was killed and another airlifted to hospital after a 55-year-old armed man allegedly held people hostage on a farm in Amersfoort, Mpumalanga, before shooting himself during police negotiations.

The incident occurred on Saturday.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said police received a report of a hostage situation at about 6a.m. and dispatched officers to the scene.

“Upon arrival, they found three victims who had escaped from the hostage situation,” Mdhluli said.

The victims told police that the suspect, who was armed with a firearm, had held them hostage.

Mdhluli said it is alleged that the suspect fatally shot a victim, aged about 50, and shot another, aged about 53, leaving him for dead. 

The injured man survived and was airlifted to hospital for medical treatment.

He said the suspect then retreated to his house on the same farm.

A team of hostage negotiators, supported by additional resources, was deployed to the scene to engage with the suspect.

“Whilst negotiations were underway with the suspect, he reportedly shot himself. He was certified dead at the scene,” Mdhluli said.

He said the suspect’s identity is known to police but has not yet been released. 

Mdhluli said it would be made public once all relevant processes had been completed.

A 9mm pistol was recovered at the scene.

Police have opened cases of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping in connection with the incident. Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise expressed concern over the incident, warning about the dangers of the unlawful use or mishandling of firearms.

“Firearms, when mishandled or used unlawfully, contribute to violent crime and the loss of lives,” Modise said.

She urged members of the public to work with authorities and report anyone in possession of a firearm whose behaviour raises concerns, even if the person is legally licensed to own it.

“Such conduct should be reported immediately to authorities before another life is lost,” she said.

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